Candle

The candle
Flickers
Singes
Smells of lavender
Olden days
Of
Women and girls in rag curls
Retiring for bed

One kiss for the dog and cat
One for her imaginary lover
A sweetheart not met yet
But welcomed ever fondly so!
One kiss one final kiss

Pursed lips
Arms spread wide
High
In the air
Goodnight sweet world
Sleep well !


And that was that
The candle blew out
The dogs sighed
The cat purred at her feet
No need for extra rug
She had their warmth
All through the long
Cold windy night

It was nights she felt her
Dreams matched her
Expectations
Of life and lovers love
So fair
Dreams for now will get
Her through her days
Of mops and brooms
And buckets
Splash
And pre Dawn
Lighting of the fires
Masters rooms

In it she saw
A gold mirror once
The glass bookcase
Held many adventures

Under lock and key

Just like her life

In dreams she lived the most of her life

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

A hard life for some back in the day. I would imagine that dreams brought sweet relief. We all need our dreams in life. Lovely visuals here Julie. You took me there.

Chris

[Julie McCarthy (juliespenhere)]

Thanks Chris hope you are well
Happy new year 🥳

[John the Baptist]

I see hope and yearning to start, followed by disappointment and resignation. Possibly the lot of many. Really liked the spare delivery and the descriptive imagery.

[Julie McCarthy (juliespenhere)]

Thanks hope you well
Happy new year

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

“Under lock and key

Just like her life

In dreams she lived the most of her life “
Dear Julie, you take us back in time and allow us a peek into the windows of this young lass…warmed by the flame of a lavender candle and dogs and cat who snuggle her. Your beautiful words and innocent imagery are offset by the grim reality of her daily life which includes menial duties for her “Master”. You vividly paint her as a bird in a gilded cage-..a gilded prison. Great storytelling style, flow, , denouement. Truly love this write.

[Julie McCarthy (juliespenhere)]

Ahh thanks Annette I hope you well and happy new year x

[willweb]

As I believe many of us do or wish to do. I know if it weren't for dreams, those while sleeping and those while awake, the world would seem a rather boring and lifeless place. Though teeming with people...dreams can create a world where people are anything you wish them to be, perhaps a lover, perhaps a golden retriever or even a sunflower. Dreams can also be a glimpse into the future we hope to see and they are an escape from the reality that seems to follow everyone of us. Dreams are magic and so is your poem. I felt I was there, peering through a keyhole at the resident, the dog and the cat, blinking and sighing when the candle was extinguished. Beautifully written.

[Julie McCarthy (juliespenhere)]

Ahh beautiful review thanks
I wake up and feel I’ve lived in another time or place and then can’t recall it hard as I try
Thanks 🙏